Alexandria residents have just four days remaining to vote early in next week’s general election, with turnout approaching the total number of early votes cast during the entire 2021 election cycle.
As of Oct. 27, Alexandria had recorded 20,853 early votes — already 82% of the 25,475 total early ballots cast during all of 2021’s early voting period, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project. Of those ballots, 14,369 were cast in person and 6,484 by mail.
With early voting continuing through Saturday at 5 p.m., Alexandria is on pace to match or exceed 2021 turnout levels. Eight days before the election, the city had already cast 20,853 ballots compared to just 15,622 at the same point in 2021.
The strong turnout mirrors a statewide trend, with Virginia recording more than 1 million early votes as of Oct. 27 — 766,961 in person and 266,265 by mail. Across Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, which includes Alexandria, 89,006 early ballots have been cast, already approaching three-quarters of the 122,832 total early votes in the district during the entire 2021 cycle.
The Nov. 4 election includes races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, House of Delegates, commonwealth’s attorney, and sheriff. Democrat Abigail Spanberger faces Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the closely watched governor’s race.
Both early voting locations are offering extended evening hours this week to accommodate voters before Saturday’s deadline.
The Office of Voter Registration and Elections at 132 N. Royal St., Suite 100, is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, regular business hours on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library at 5005 Duke St. is open for early voting from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Alexandria has recorded 183.9 early votes per 1,000 registered voters as of Oct. 27, compared to 163.4 in Northern Virginia and 173.8 statewide, according to Virginia Department of Elections data.
In Virginia, all registered voters can cast ballots early without providing a reason.
Residents who missed the Oct. 24 voter registration deadline can still register and vote using same-day registration at either early voting location through Saturday or at their assigned polling place on Election Day. Those using same-day registration will cast provisional ballots, which will be verified and counted after Election Day.
Ballot drop boxes will be available at all polling places on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. A secure outdoor drop box under video surveillance is available 24 hours a day at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections through 7 p.m. on Election Day.
More information is available at alexandriava.gov/Elections or by calling 703-746-4050.
